Homicide rate down 20%;Health care expanded to 100,000 Marylanders
MARYLAND – A year and a half into their administration, Governor Martin O’Malley and Lt. Governor Anthony Brown have already accomplished more than their predecessors achieved in four years, sources say.
The results are particularly encouraging in the public safety and health care arenas, where homicides are down 20% across the State, and health care coverage has been expanded for children, seniors, and lower income adults.
“Working together as One Maryland, we’re making real and steady progress toward our shared priorities,” said Governor O’Malley.
After promising to make Maryland’s government work again, the O’Malley-Brown Administration has delivered. By instituting the revolutionary “StateStat” program, the Administration has been able to eliminate a backlog of 24,000 unanalyzed DNA samples and to double the number of DNA matches.
In 2007 alone, 287 of these matches were use to solve crimes, including 61 rapes and murders.
The Administration is also credited with better preparing the State for an emergency situation, after having increased investments in interoperable communications equipment, and State police helicopters.
Governor O’Malley and Lt. Governor Brown also led the successful charge to end parole for child sex offenders with Jessica’s Law, and to close down what was widely regarded as an arcane and dangerous House of Corrections (saving taxpayers $10 million per year).
The O’Malley-Brown Administration has also made successful progress toward expanding health care coverage to more Marylanders rather than fewer. Under their leadership, 100,000 previously uninsured Marylanders will now receive health care coverage.
In addition, the O’Malley-Brown administration is reaching out to cover more children (and to provide better dental services).
The Administration is also credited with closing the Medicare Part D donut hole in Maryland, providing life-saving prescription medications to seniors who otherwise would not have been able to afford them.
And, in the fall, Maryland will become one of only a handful of States to offer incentives to small businesses to help them insure their employees.
“As Marylanders, we are united by our shared priorities,” said Governor O’Malley. “To strengthen and grow our Middle Class, and improve public safety and public education in every part of our State. And to expand opportunity, including the opportunity to learn, to earn, to enjoy the health of the people we love and to enjoy the health of the environment we love.”
